A call went out from the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs for folks to write to the veterans in the five state veterans homes here in Washington. My neighbor Vicki and I became a team sending at least 10 cards a week to the home at Port Orchard. Vicki sang there for the residents when she was in high school. I get the cards and stamps and Vicki writes — more than 100 cards to date! The staff has said the residents appreciate our cards. If you would like to send a card address it to: Resident, Washington Veterans Home, 1141 Beach Dr. E, Port Orchard WA 98366.
I have also written to the staff, Healthcare Provider, just to let these folks know we are thinking of them during this pandemic and appreciate the care they are giving the veterans.
The WDVA also asked for support of the residents so I worked with the activities director at Retsil, and with Tom Coonelly’s help with Spoke Folks of Sequim and Sequim Sunrise Rotary I took two loads of snacks, personal hygiene products and lots of word search books and craft items to them. Thank you to all who donated items. Since visitors are not allowed most sources of these items got cut off.
Stars and stripes
Many thanks to all who helped American Legion Post 62 place flags on veterans graves on Saturday and retrieve them on Monday afternoon. Those present included Post members, Daughters of the American Revolution, Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts.
VFW Post 4760 put out the big flags on Monday morning — no ceremonies, but the flags flew proudly. I saw many flags around town and candles out Monday evening for remembrance. Thank you.
Wreaths project
Michael Trebert Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution are taking orders for wreaths to be placed on veterans graves in Sequim View Cemetery on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 9 a.m. This will be part of the national Wreaths Across America Program.
We will have a short program and then lay the 21-inch Balsam wreaths with red bow on all marked veterans graves.
One wreath is $15. Please go to www.wreathsacross america.org/WA0153 to the website to volunteer to put out wreaths or to order a wreath using a credit card. Remember to put “WA0153” so the wreath comes to Sequim. You can also send a check payable to MTC – DAR, PO Box 1917, Port Angeles WA 98362.
Please email me if you have questions: cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com.
To commemorate …
The Clallam County Commissioners will issue a Proclamation on June 22 to recognize the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War.
Scholarships
Sequim VFW Post 4760 has awarded three $1,000 scholarships this year to Sequim High School seniors. Kylynn Stringer was awarded the VFW Scholarship; Camryn Wallen and Patrick Tenneson were awarded Tony Juliano Memorial Scholarships. Congratulations, seniors! The VFW selected Beau Halverson of Troop 90 as their Scout of the Year. Congratulations to Beau!
Kudos for Kathy
The Mount Olympus Detachment 897 of the Marine Corps League has nominated detachment member/paymaster Kathy Nicholls for the Marine Corps League Department of Washington State Marine of the Year.
Kathy is an outstanding member of the detachment through her efforts to organize the Marine Corps Ball each year, get volunteers to help with the boat races and send out notices of important events.
The Annual Marine Corps League State Convention has been cancelled for 2020. Detachment meetings are on hold for the present.
Contributors: American Legion, Carl Bradshaw, thbk dragon@yahoo.com; MOAA and Voices For Veterans, Lorri Gilchrist, cdrlgilchrist@gmail.com; Marine Corps League, Mark Schildknecht, marana-s@outlook.com; Korean War Veterans, Jerry Rettela, eletteor@msn.com; VFW 4760, Steve Henrikson, secretary@vfwpost4760.com ; VFW 6787, Rod Lee, sealteam54@q.com.
